Theatre
Review
Review: A Mirrored Monet
The new musical at Charing Cross Theatre sheds light on the life and times of the famous painter
In a Parisian apartment in 1916, Monet stands before an empty canvas, unable to fulfil the commission he needs to keep his household afloat. The war has led to a restriction on food, essential supplies and work, and the old painter depends on this payment to provide for himself and his daughter, Blanche. Creatively blocked and mourning his youthful inspiration, his mind wanders back to the past. New musical A Mirrored Monet lets us join him on that journey.
Writer Carmel Owen takes Monet’s obsession with light and plays with it, reflecting scattered scenes from the artist’s life back at him – and the light many of these stories paint him in is far from lovely. What follows is the impression that Monet’s creative block is a result of guilt and self-loathing, as he watches his younger self take his muse and wife, Camille, for granted, and fail to show up for their young son. Jeff Shankley is moving as the old painter, powerless to intervene as he watches Dean John-Wilson play out the same mistakes. Brooke Bazarian is a standout as Camille, her affecting performance a real point of beauty.
Libby Todd’s design is also a treat, a blank canvas of a set brought to life by a sparing use of props and set pieces, combined with projections of the artist’s work. Thoughtful period costuming makes it all appropriately picturesque, from the older Monet’s monochrome sand-coloured ensemble – waiting to be painted himself – to Camille’s parasols and Parisian silhouettes, lifting her directly from out under the real Monet’s brush.
As the capable ensemble cast guides us through to the conclusion, of course we as the audience know that The Water Lillies will not only be completed but will come to define Monet’s legacy. Our journey through his past serves to remind us that these paintings aren’t immaculately conceived works of genius, but the result of human understanding, human experience, and human flaws. Imperfect this Monet may be, but as Owen’s musical highlights, personal and artistic perfection seldom go hand in hand.
A Mirrored Monet is currently playing at Charing Cross Theatre until 9 May – find tickets here
